A View of the Lodge in the South Park, near Penshurst in the County of Kent, from The History and Topographical Survey of the County of Kent, vols. 1-3 1777 - 1790

This print, made by Thomas Milton in the late 18th century, comes from a topographical survey of Kent and exemplifies the craft of copperplate engraving. It’s a labor-intensive process, requiring the artist to meticulously incise an image into a copper plate. The fine lines you see were created by pushing a tool called a burin across the metal. The plate is then inked, and the surface wiped clean, leaving ink only in the etched lines. When pressed against paper, a mirror image of the design is revealed. Think of the engraver, working methodically to capture the scene. The print is not just an image but also a record of skilled labor. Milton's print provides us with a glimpse into the English landscape but also into the world of artisanal production that was so integral to the period. It prompts us to appreciate the artistry, technique, and time involved in bringing images like this to a wider audience.